XBox Slim

[linuxn00b2004]

Hey y'all,

I basically have nothing to do this summer. So, I thought I might attempt to create an XBox Slim, just like the PS2 equivalent. I know there are some major issues I would need to overcome for this, but I was wondering how viable y'all thought it might be.

To give you some idea of what I am talking about, I want my XBox to be about 2 inches tall, wide as the motherboard is, and as shallow as possible. To make it that thin, I would very heavy hardware modification. Could I potentially use a slot-load DVD drive, like Apple's Superdrive? Or would reflashing the firmware make it unloadable?

I know it's a long shot, but the other item I might potentially use is one of those iPod HDDs. Those really tiny HDDs that hold, like, 40 gigs? Can you plug these into a standard computer, or do they not have standard power and IDE setups in back? I'm thinking it would be impossible to use an iPod HDD, but I thought I'd ask.

I believe this would be an incredibly fun project. Just finding out how possible/feasible/nifty y'all thought of this idea. I mean, after all, one of the most common complaints I hear about the XBox from PS2 owners is that it is gigantic and heavy. However, they would have nothing to complain about if I could make as large and lightweight as thier PS3 Slims, or at least came close.

- Greg

 

[TokenUser]

I've thought about something similar - moving the PSU externally, and dropping in a laptop HDD (2.5" 80GB - use a 2.5" -> 3.5" IDE drive adapter) would narrow the Xbox, but do nothing for the height. A slimline laptop DVD drive might be an issue due to fimware though.

 

[YAKABOUSKI]

maybe you could have it setup so that there is no dvd drive and u hook it up only when needed. like have an external ide cable and power w/ a switch. that would cut off a large amount of space wouldnt it?

 

[desolate_one]

how about mounting the hdd on top the dvd drive and put the mobo on its side, that would make it more square than slim. perhaps you could work your idea around that concept, just a thought

 

[kimosabe]

excellent idea, but think, such little distractions as the heatsinks, fan removal causes cooling issues, heat builds easily in a concealed small case. a definitel issue to overcome indeed. but external drive sounds like your best bet, make a case for the drive to make it match your case so it doesnt look trashy. find the smallest fan possible that maybe has molex support or has the tri prong plug to match the motherboards fan input, you could then control its speed under x3cl, get some mesh to make a guard for the fan. just leave the hdd in there, youll need that in there. check for the rpms on the hdd you use, that leads to heat because more work is being done, causing a temperature growth. mount fan RIGHT next to hdd and turn hdd over in its belly so heat is more exposed to the fan for exhaust. thats all i got now

 

[silentdarkfalcon]

1) Laptop Hdd with IDE converter, totlaly possible
2) Any DVD can be modded to fit into an XBox. Search around and you'll find the yellow cable pinout, you need to then examine whatever drive you use and figure out the eject and power signals, and then make those load. It's totally possible with any laptop drive, not to say it'd be easy.
The PSU shoud be the easiest thing to replace. It takes a standard AC in and outputs a fairly standard output. I'd assume with a little testing you could figure out any differences in the molex output between that and like a micro itx power supply, maybe integrate it into the cable like an AC adaptor.

 

[IvanK]

For cooling I'd remove the craptastic aluminum heat sinks (sweet Jesus the contact side is almost concave with respect to the cpu), replace them with copper and use a fan similar to those used on the latest video cards to blow directly out of the back of the case. The active cooling measures might cause some noise, but would lower heat and perhaps mitigate your need for a larger fan, particularly if you move the psu outside.

 

[linuxn00b2004]

Thanks for all the input/advice/ideas guys! Glad to hear feedback!

The cooling issue had crossed my mind, and had thought of the same idea suggested by IvanK. I would replace the stock heatsinks with shorter, yet more effective copper sinks using Artic compound. I've heard that makes a huge difference. Sounds like M$ was practically using toothpaste to apply their aluminum ones. However, I appreciate y'all pointing that out, though IvanK and kimosabe!

1) Laptop Hdd with IDE converter, totlaly possible
2) Any DVD can be modded to fit into an XBox. Search around and you'll find the yellow cable pinout, you need to then examine whatever drive you use and figure out the eject and power signals, and then make those load. It's totally possible with any laptop drive, not to say it'd be easy.
The PSU shoud be the easiest thing to replace. It takes a standard AC in and outputs a fairly standard output. I'd assume with a little testing you could figure out any differences in the molex output between that and like a micro itx power supply, maybe integrate it into the cable like an AC adaptor.

Cool, glad to hear the PSU won't be hard. I believe the most difficult part of this project would be the DVD drive. Or more accurately, flashing a laptop harddrive with new firmware and then figuring out how to rewire it. I'm not a genious when it comes to this type of thing, so that sounds daunting. The end result would be awesome though!

maybe you could have it setup so that there is no dvd drive and u hook it up only when needed. like have an external ide cable and power w/ a switch. that would cut off a large amount of space wouldnt it?

True, it would. And I might very well look into that. Just depends how much time I have this summer. If I'm a little more constrained, then I probably will do this. I so rarely use the drive anymore. After all, I just backup my games, and then put them back on the shelf forever until a friend needs to borrow one or something.

how about mounting the hdd on top the dvd drive and put the mobo on its side, that would make it more square than slim. perhaps you could work your idea around that concept, just a thought

LoL, that is interesting... almost like an XBox book end. It could multitask: play video games AND hold up my books! Seriously, I like your idea. I may take that one into consideration as well, due to money constraints: that would cost less. A tad less rewarding, but much more budget and time friendly.

Okay, it's 1:50 AM, Midwestern time. So, I got to go to bed.

- Greg

 

[freakzilla3333]

Mybae you could make a water cooling system instaed of using fans, this could make it flatter. Not even as high as a heatsink if you can make it small. Best possible cooling system there is according to scott fulham (author of hardware hacking projects for geeks). You could make an aluminium case lined with electrical tape to prevent shorts. This way you would cut off about 2 inches width, 1 inch height, and 2 inches length compared to the the standard xbox case.This might make better cooling too 'cos the metal would absorb some of the heat. Make lots of holes in it too to keep it cool inside.

 

[TokenUser]

Mybae you could make a water cooling system instaed of using fans, this could make it flatter. Not even as high as a heatsink if you can make it small. Best possible cooling system there is according to scott fulham (author of hardware hacking projects for geeks). You could make an aluminium case lined with electrical tape to prevent shorts. This way you would cut off about 2 inches width, 1 inch height, and 2 inches length compared to the the standard xbox case.This might make better cooling too 'cos the metal would absorb some of the heat. Make lots of holes in it too to keep it cool inside.

Time to smack you again ...

1. Watercooling has smaller heatsinks (called a waterblock) than an convection (air), or forced convection (fan) heatsink. So you are right on that point. BUT in building a smaller case, you have forgotten about
   • The radiator - which will be at least as large as the HDD, and probably more like the size of 2 80-120mm fans side by side, which it will also need to force air through the radiator itself
   • Pump - a small eHeim pump is still kinda large
   • Tubing - water has to run through something right? and watercooled systems don't like angles
   • Resevoir - personally, I run a closed loop system, but many people use a res
2. You have been suckered again. Aluminium cases do not aid cooling - the heat transfer from hot air to Aluminium is negligable, and better removed by using a fan

You might be able to use a heatpipe for the chips - but the chips are designed to run with air cooling. The internal heatsinks aren't that large - and provided you can provide adequate air flow through the Xbox to remove heat, this isn't going to be an issue. Upgrading the HDD does put a lot of heat into the system - 3.5" HDD running at 7200RPM are a lot hotter than the stock 5400 RPM models. BUT, by using a 2.5" laptop HDD, you will only get a drive that runs at 5400 RPM, which is perfect for minimising heat.

 

[metalgear]

I got one
The PLAYSTATION 2....Don't laugh don't flame hear me out.
My wife bought me A slim PS2 for X-mas I already had one but she said the slim is cute.
WHATEVER I am thinking about ripping out the guts on my original PS2 and putting in the Xbox guts.
Using only 2 of the controller ports and A dremel for players 1+2 and the other two controller ports get hacked for use with the USB ports already in the ps2. The MOBO looks to fit almost perfect,the fan is already there and the HDD bay goes right under the dvd tray. the real snafu withthis is the DVD looks "hardwired" into the MOBO if possible to switch out the wiring then I'm left with a PS2BOX
This is all well and good in theory of course. I'll let you know what I come up with when/IF I get around to it.